We are a non-profit, no-kill animal rescue shelter located in Breckenridge, Texas. We believe that we are all God’s creatures, so we work hard to place all of our fabulous “fur-babies” in loving homes!
We are located in a small community in rural Texas, and while many of our dogs and cats get adopted right here in Stephens County, we also work with partner organizations and individuals across the country until we find the right match for each animal in our care. We can only do all of this because of the dedication of our small staff and team of volunteers, each of whom brings their own special talents and skills to our organization. As such, we have become known as “The little shelter that could!”
The original Stephens County Animal Shelter was built in 1975 under the guidance of Ruth Hilgenberg, President of the local Humane Society. When Mrs. Hilgenberg passed away in 1987, the Humane Society ceased to exist for ten years. The Humane Society was newly chartered in 1997 by Mona Lasiter and Kathy O’Shields. Their efforts in conjunction with the City of Breckenridge and Stephens County led to the construction of a new shelter in 2003. The new shelter has 20 kennels, a cat room with 16 cages, a puppy room with 12 cages, and an isolation room. In 2012, a large outside area was fenced in to provide a place for the dogs to exercise, play, and meet potential “fur-ever” families.
Today, the Humane Society provides…
- Medical treatment for animals
- Shots and heart worm tests
- Medications
- Foster homes
- Care and feed for fostered animals not housed at the shelter
- Trailer for transportation of animals out of state
- Grooming for shelter animals
- Handles all adoptions
- Contact for SPCA transfers
- Coordinates with other rescue groups
- Cost sharing for low cost spay and neutering
If you are ready to adopt, please fill our our online adoption application. If you have other questions about the shelter, please contact us.
Thanks for visiting our website!
Stephens County Animal Welfare Center 
This is the website manager, and I am not in Breckenridge, but to the best of my knowledge we still have Astro! (He is scheduled to drop onto the website this afternoon.) I would go ahead and complete the online adoption application, because I expect him to go fast. Boxers make such great pets!
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Do you take in animals? There’s this female
dog that has been around my house for a few weeks now. She doesn’t have a collar and I posted her and no one has claimed her or want to adopt her. I think she was dropped off down my road. She’s been terrorizing and fighting with my little dogs. I’m out of options on what to do!
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this shelter kills animals after 5 days
and this shelter just filed animal cruelty charges to the animal control officer for staving dogs
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Hi, Ron, and thank you for caring about the welfare of the animals in the shelter. This website is for the Stephens County Human Society. Sadly, the Breckenridge Police Department is currently running the shelter (they assumed responsibility for the shelter a couple of years ago) and this terrible situation happened while the animals were in their care. The Stephens County Humane Society was instrumental in helping to rescue these dogs and ensure they are receiving the veterinary care they now need to be brought back to good health. We are heartbroken by what has happened and are working on an official statement to clarify the separation of powers between the Breckenridge Police Department and the Stephens County Humane Society which allowed this to happen. Like you, we too want justice for these innocent dogs.
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I have a rescued dog and need to find a home for him. Too good of a dog just to be put down. Can you help. bufordsalters@gmail.com
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I have a cat that belonged to my mom. She is now in a nursing home and I can’t keep him. I’m allergic. Can you help find him a good home.
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What color is the cat?
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I’m looking for a 65 lb female lab pit mix lost her this past Saturday out by New Hope Baptist Church in Ranger. She’s a sweetie. If you seen this girl chocolate color, please contact me
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I was looking for help with dog food. My dog recently had 10 puppies and they are now Winged and eating puppy food. I have a job but they go through puppy food like crazy plus I have mom and dad dog too. Any help would be great or if you can point me in the directions thanks.
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Five years ago, we adopted a beautiful girl named Sophia (now Sophie) who was brought to Colorado from your rescue. Perhaps someone there remembers her. She turns seven years this week and is the smartest, most loyal and loving dog ever. Sophie is a black lab/boarder collie mix who is now AKC Good Citizen trained. We recently moved from Colorado to the Big Island of Hawaii and Sophie loves her fenced acre home in this beautiful rainforest climate. I just wanted to let you know how grateful we are to have her and to thank you for sending her to be adopted in Denver. I’ll send you a picture of her if I could figure out how to do it so you can see how happy she is. Mahalo for helping Sophia to find us.
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Hi, Kathy, and thank you for the wonderful update! We’re delighted to hear that Sophie is doing so well and has such a loving home! We would LOVE to see a picture of her! If you’ll click on our Contact page and fill out the form (it’s short), I’ll send you a link so where you can attach her picture. We’re so happy for Sophie that she found such a wonderful home!! God bless you for showing her such love… ❤
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Hello, I was wondering if you ever have any open positions to apply for? I would love to work in animal rescue, or possibly even volunteer until I do find a job in this field. I have a lot of experience with dogs and cats. I currently have an 8 week old rescue kitten we are treating for ringworm, so I have knowledge on treating ringworm as well.
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